aluminum paint questions

I am new to the forum and have read a lot of threads in the last few days and taken a lot of notes. I have to much information for my tiny brain to sort out. Thanks for all of those who posted so much info. I am still confused about the process I am about to paint a 16 ft aluminum Monarch flatbottom for my grandson. I have already sanded all of the most of the loose paint off with 150 grit. have lookes at Durulux, Interlux, Super Marine, Hawthorne & Pettit paint. I think i can do the following steps to paint the boat.
1. Etch (what product?)
2. Self etching primer
3. paint

Is this right? Are there any products you like or don't like? I need to keep the cost as low as possible.

Re: aluminum paint questions

Check out Page #10 in my My Flamigo thread listed below. It has all the details you need for painting your boat with either Pettit or Rustoleum using an Acrylic enamel hardener. It tells you how to Roll or Spray.

Re: aluminum paint questions

This one right ..

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=384982&page=10

YD.

Re: aluminum paint questions

There is also a sticky up on top of the forum in the How Toos ..

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=457159

But its just my recommendations ..

YD.

PS. Im a cost is not a factor to me kinda guy ( I do this for a living and I cant really tell the customer that I properly washed down his alum with a vinegar mix for cost savings .. ) . Though I hear that can work I can not tell you for sure.

Draw a Triangle on paper .. one side is Cost .. another side is Speed .. third side is Quality. Pick any 2 and throw out the third side. There is your job in a nutshell.

YD.

Re: aluminum paint questions

Thanks Woodonglass & YD. That makes it simple enough for even me. Hope to get started on the paint in a few days.

Re: aluminum paint questions

sschefer painted his Monark with this http://www.yachtpaint.com/usa/diy/products/primers/vc-performance-epoxy.aspx and it came out awesome and I believe has been durable. I painted mine with Petit Easypoxy. Garbage. In my opinion, go with a quality 2 part marine paint or just got with Rustoleum with hardener added. Skip all the middle of the road single-part stuff.

Re: aluminum paint questions

How does the rustoleum hold up? I'm looking for a paint job that will hold up about 8-10 years without repainting.

Re: aluminum paint questions

If you prep it right, and use the hardener in the paint, don't beach the boat every day, then it should last a long time. The hardener makes it very similar to car paint. Acrylic Enamel with added hardener is a very durable surface but surface prep is always the key to success.